Stade Rochelais vs Stade Francais Paris Prediction: Francais Paris can not be written off

In week nine encounters of the France Top 14, Stade Rochelais will play Stade Francais Paris at Stade Marcel Deflandre. The odds favor Stade Rochelais, but can Francais Paris show character here?

Stade Rochelais were poor away from home against Montpellier last weekend and will look to turn things around. In that game, Stade Rochelais failed to score a single point, conceding 13 in the first half, while failing to respond in the second half, conceding three this time. However, while this side had a solid start to the season, their last three matches have ended in two defeats, the first against Aviron Bayonnais. Yet, their encounter against Bordeaux Begles ended in a 32-22 win. With 22 points, Stade Rochelais sit fourth in the Top 14 standings, sharing points with third-placed Aviron Bayonnais. 

Stade Francais Paris pulled off a win over Clermont the previous weekend and will look to repeat the feat here. Stade Francais Paris had a good start in that game, leading 15-6, before a 21-0 second-half performance. However, Stade Francais Paris have lost consecutive matches to Lyon and Castres Olympique in prior games before that win. In the meantime, a look at the visitors' matchups this season saw them have 14 points from eight matches, sitting 12th in the standings. 

The meetings between these sides have been competitive, and it is tough to write either team off. Coming off a defeat, Stade Rochelais will hope to show character as they respond to their last poor performance. However, returning to winning ways the previous weekend, I expect Stade Francais Paris to draw momentum. This is an open game than it looks on paper, and I will back the visiting team to close the odds, an encounter that could end with many points.